US Patent 7422249 Gliding door, latch mechanism and method

A gliding door system employs a latch with a gear and pinion mechanism for smooth opening of a door. A lower door push member is driven with the opening of the latch, so as to urge the door open by pushing at a lower end thereof. The door suitably is carried by adjustable wheels that ride on a rail like member, wherein at a closed position, the rail is slightly depressed, to lower the door slightly at the closed position, to bring lower seals into engagement with seats. The push member assists in urging the wheel out of the depressed portion.